British Columbia adopts code changes for tall wood buildings

LWPAC Principal Oliver Lang visited Structurlam together with John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia, and Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, for the announcement of B.C.’s adoption of building code changes that allow the safe construction of 12-storey mass timber buildings. The announcement comes just a few months after Intelligent City’s push to build a 12-storey mass timber condominium building in Esquimalt, and other tall wood buildings in B.C.

“Changes to the national building code that allow for taller wood buildings take effect next year, but we’re not waiting to get started. Our government is ready to work with communities to build safe, secure and green tall wood buildings that will create jobs, grow B.C.’s value-added sector and realize our low-carbon future.”, said Premier John Horgan.

The federal 2020 National Building Code is expected to allow mass timber construction up to 12 storeys, and will be reflected in the next edition of the BC Building Code. The technology has been reviewed by the National Building Code committees, as well as by experts such as fire safety specialists, structural engineers, architects, scientists and builders.